Dishwasher

ABSTRACT

A dishwasher comprising a sump configured to contain washing water, a washing pump configured to pump the washing water contained in the sump, a washing nozzle configured to inject the washing water pumped by the washing pump onto targets to be washed, a washing water passage configured between the sump and the washing nozzle, and a remnant water sensing unit activated by the washing water flowing inside the washing water passage, whereby a pressure in the washing water passage can be sensed so as to accurately sense whether there is water remaining in the dishwasher, and a single sensing unit can be employed regardless of the type of dishwasher.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in priority Korean Application No. 10-2007-0090612, filed on Sep. 6, 2007, which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a dish washer.

2. Background of the Invention

A dishwasher is a machine for washing garbage remaining on a dishware (e.g., dishes, cups, bowls and the like) by injecting a high pressure of washing water onto the dishes contained in a wash tub or washing chamber. Such dishwasher is configured such that dishes are washed off using washing water containing detergent and the used water is drained to dry the contained dishes.

Concerning the process of draining the water, the draining process is completed by primarily determining whether the water inside the wash tub has completely been drained or there is water still contained after draining the water. Here, there is needed a device for determining whether such water is still contained in the wash tub. Accordingly, the dishwasher according to the related art is provided with a remnant water sensing unit disposed at a bottom of a sump containing the washing water.

The remnant water sensing unit is implemented by using a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure of remaining water. However, it is concerned about deriving incorrect results according to an inclination or the like upon the installation of the dishwasher, which may increase a burden of an accurate installation of the dishwasher. Furthermore, since the storage capacity of the sump depends on the capacity of the dishwasher, different pressure sensors should be installed depending on the capacity of the dishwasher. In other words, in case of applying a pressure sensor used in a large dishwasher directly to a small dishwasher, a difference in the pressure by washing water may occur. Accordingly, it may be difficult to implement an accurate sensing. Also, in case of a small amount of water left, the accurate amount may not be easily sensed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher having a function of accurately sensing an amount of remnant water with maintaining a compact size of the dishwasher.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a dishwasher including a sump configured to contain washing water, a washing pump configured to pump the washing water contained in the sump, a washing nozzle configured to inject the washing water pumped by the washing pump onto targets to be washed, a washing water passage configured between the sump and the washing nozzle, and a remnant water sensing unit activated by the washing water flowing inside the washing water passage.

In one aspect of the present invention, whether there is water remaining in the dishwasher is sensed according to washing water flowing in a washing water passage, not according to washing water in the bottom of the sump, whereby the same sensing unit can be used to sense the existence of such remnant water regardless of the capacity of the dishwasher.

Here, the remnant water sensing unit may be installed directly at the washing water passage or installed at a branch pipe.

Also, the remnant water sensing unit may be operated by a physical or chemical characteristic of the washing water, for example, by a pressure of the washing water.

The remnant water sensing unit may be configured to generate a signal in cooperation with being partially displaced by the pressure of the washing water, and further include a controller configured to determine whether there remains washing water or whether the motor is normally driven according to the sensing result of the remnant water sensing unit.

In the dishwasher according to one aspect of the present invention, whether there is water remaining in the dishwasher is sensed according to washing water flowing in a washing water passage, not according to water in the bottom of the sump, whereby the same sensing unit can be used to sense the existence of such remnant water regardless of the capacity of the dishwasher.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a dishwasher in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the dishwasher having a remnant water sensing unit disposed thereat in accordance with the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view shoveling a disassembled state of the remnant water sensing unit employed in the dishwasher in accordance with the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′ of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing that a hydraulic pressure is applied to the remnant water sensing unit employed in the dishwasher in accordance with the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing that the displacement member of the remnant water sensing unit shown in FIG. 5 is deformed by a hydraulic pressure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Description will now be given in detail of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a dishwasher in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a dishwasher 100 in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a wash tub 110 installed inside a casing 101, a door 102 for opening/closing the wash tub 110, and a rack 103 installed in the wash tub 110 for containing a dishware (e.g., dishes, cups, bowls, and the like).

Also, the dishwasher 100 may further include a sump 120 installed in a lower portion of the wash tub 110 for containing washing water, an impeller 130 configuring a washing pump for pumping the washing water contained in the sump 120, and a washing motor 140 for driving the impeller 130.

The dishwasher 100 may further include a nozzle apparatus 200 and a rotary nozzle 104 all for injecting the washing water pumped from the sump 120 onto the dishes to be washed. The nozzle apparatus 200 is fixed to a rear side of the wash tub 110 to inject the washing water onto the dishes. The rotary nozzle 104 is rotated by an injection pressure of the washing water below the rack 103, thus to inject the washing water onto the dishes. By injecting the washing water, garbage on the dishes can be removed and thusly the dishes can be washed up.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the dishwasher having a remnant water sensing unit disposed thereat in accordance with the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the dishwasher in accordance with the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include the sump 120, the impeller 130, the washing motor 130, a sump connecting pipe 150, a nozzle connecting pipe 160, a branch pipe 170, and a remnant water sensing unit 200.

The sump 120 is configured to contain washing water to be injected onto dishes to be washed, and to filter garbage contained in the washing water by a filter (not shown) employed therein. The sump 120 may further employ a heater (not shown) to heat up washing water.

The washing water injected onto the dishes to be washed is supplied to a washing nozzle via the sump connecting pipe 150 and the nozzle connecting pipe 160. Such washing water supplied to the washing nozzle is injected onto the dishes, thus to remove garbage on the dishes.

The washing motor 140 is configured to pump washing water in the sump 120. The motor 140 drives the impeller 130 connected via a motor shaft 141, so as to allow the supply of washing water from the sump 120 to the nozzle. The impeller 130 driven by the motor 140 rotates such that the washing water, which is introduced from the sump 120 via the sump connecting pipe 150, can flow along the nozzle connecting pipe 160.

The nozzle connecting pipe 160 forms a passage through which the washing water flowing via the impeller 130 passes. A washing nozzle connecting portion 161 connected to the washing nozzle is formed at an end portion of the nozzle connecting pipe 160.

The sump connecting pipe 150 and the nozzle connecting pipe 160 configure a washing water passage for allowing the washing water in the sump 120 to flow toward the washing nozzle by the motor 140. From such perspective, the sump connecting pipe 150 and the nozzle connecting pipe 160 may be defined as a washing water passage configuring portion.

The branch pipe 170 is a pipe which is diverged from the nozzle connecting pipe 160 such that the water flowing along the nozzle connecting pipe 160 is partially introduced therein. The remnant water sensing unit 200 is disposed at an end portion of the branch pipe 170.

The remnant water sensing unit 200 is driven by a hydraulic pressure of the washing water flowing along the nozzle connecting pipe 160, which is part of the washing water passage, thus to sense whether the washing water flows in the washing water passage.

When the remnant water sensing unit 200 senses an existence of washing water having more than a certain pressure, a controller (not shown) can determine at least one of whether there is no water in the wash tub or whether the motor 140 is normally driven, according to the hydraulic pressure sensed by the remnant water sensing unit 200.

The dishwasher 100 is configured such that the impeller 130 is driven for a certain time during the draining process to pump the washing water. That is, the washing pump is driven for the certain time. In cooperation with the driving of the washing pump during the draining process, the remnant water sensing unit 200 can sense whether there is water left, so as to determine whether the draining has smoothly been performed.

Hereinafter, detailed configuration and operation of the remnant water sensing unit 200 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

Here, it will be described that the remnant water sensing unit 200 is connected to the nozzle connecting pipe 160, which is a discharge side of the washing motor 140; however, it is merely illustrative. That is, the remnant water sensing unit 200 may be connected to the sump connecting pipe 150 which is an inlet side of the washing motor 140.

Also, it will be described that the remnant water sensing unit 200 is connected to the branch pipe 170, which is diverged from the nozzle connecting pipe 160; however, it is merely illustrative. That is, the remnant water sensing unit 200 may be connected directly to the nozzle connecting pipe 160.

In this one exemplary embodiment, the remnant water sensing unit 200 is connected to the washing water passage, namely, at least one of the nozzle connecting pipe 160 and the sump connecting pipe 150, thus to sense the hydraulic pressure in the washing water passage, thereby accurately sensing whether there is the washing water remaining inside the dishwasher.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a disassembled state of the remnant water sensing unit employed in the dishwasher in accordance with the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′ of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the remnant water sensing unit 200 employed in the dishwasher according to the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a connection cover 210 defining an inlet portion in which the washing water flowing in the passage is partially introduced, a displacement member 220, a switch accommodating case 230, and a switch 240.

The connection cover 210 is provided with a cover body 211, a branch pipe connecting portion 212 and a communicating hole 213.

The cover body 211 is configured to cover the switch accommodating case 230. The branch pipe connecting portion 212 is configured to be inserted in the branch pipe 170. Preferably, a gap between the branch pipe connecting portion 212 and the branch pipe 170 is sealed in order to prevent the water leakage. The communicating hole 213 configures a passage in which the washing water flown through the branch pipe 170 is introduced.

The remnant water sensing unit 200 may independently be detachable from the dishwasher by separating the branch pipe connecting portion 212 from the branch pipe 170.

The displacement member 220 is provided with a sealing portion 221, a deformative portion 222, and a pressing portion 223. The sealing portion 221 and the deformative portion 222 may be formed of a flexible material such as robber.

The sealing portion 221 is interposed between the connection cover 210 and the switch accommodating case 230, thereby to seal a gap therebetween. The sealing portion 221 is pressed between the connection cover 210 and the switch accommodating case 230 upon coupling the connection cover 210 to the switch accommodating case 230, thereby sealing the gap between the connection cover 210 and the switch accommodating case 230.

As such, the gap between the connection cover 210 and the switch accommodating case 230 is sealed by the sealing portion 221, resulting in preventing the water leakage from occurring therebetween. In addition, a separate sealing member is not required, which allows the remnant water sensing unit 200 to be simplified and compact.

The deformative portion 222 is formed inside the sealing portion 221. The deformative portion 222 may be molded integrally with the sealing portion 221. Such deformative portion 222 may be deformed toward the switch 240 by a hydraulic pressure of the washing water introduced into the communicating hole 213 via the branch pipe 170. When the hydraulic pressure is not applied any more, the deformative portion 222 may be restored to its original position by its own restoring force. The pressing portion 223 is formed on the deformative portion 222 to thusly be displaced by the deformative portion 222. Such pressing portion 223 is displaced toward the switch 240 when the deformative portion 222 is deformed by the hydraulic pressure, thereby operating the switch 240.

The pressing portion 223 may be molded integrally with the sealing portion 221 and the deformative portion 222.

The switch accommodating case 230 is provided with a case body 231 and a switch inserting hole 232.

The case body 231 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape. One end of the case body 231 is covered by the connection cover 210. The switch inserting hole 232 is configured such that the switch 240 is inserted therein for installation.

The switch 240 may be defined as an actuating unit which is operated (i.e., switched on or off) by the hydraulic pressure of the washing water introduced via the branch pipe 170. The switch 240 is provided with a switch body 241, a pressed portion 242 and a connection terminal 243.

The pressed portion 242 is configured to be pressed by the pressing portion 223 to thusly be moved. The switch body 241 includes therein a circuit or the like for outputting a signal in cooperation with the movement of the pressed portion 242. The connection terminal 243 then transfers the signal outputted from the switch body 241 to a certain portion, for example, a controller.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views showing an operation of the remnant water sensing unit employed in the dishwasher in accordance with the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing that a hydraulic pressure is applied to the remnant water sensing unit employed in the dishwasher in accordance with the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing that the displacement member of the remnant water sensing unit shown in FIG. 5 is deformed by a hydraulic pressure.

Hereinafter, the operation of the remnant water sensing unit of the dishwasher in accordance with the one exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

First, upon driving the motor 140, washing water contained in the sump 120 flows via the sump connecting pipe 150 and the nozzle connecting pipe 160. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the washing water is introduced into the branch pipe connected to the nozzle connecting pipe 160.

When the washing water is continuously introduced, as shown in FIG. 6, the deformative portion 222 of the displacement member 220 is deformed toward the switch 240. The pressing portion 223 protruded from the deformative portion 222 then presses the pressed portion 242 of the switch 240.

Upon pressing the pressed portion 242, a signal is accordingly generated from the switch 240. Such signal can be outputted via the connection terminal 243.

The dishwasher in accordance with one aspect of the present invention can be configured such that the remnant water sensing unit can be connected to the washing water passage, namely, at least one of the nozzle connecting pipe and the sump connecting pipe so as to sense the hydraulic pressure in the washing water passage, whereby the amount of washing water remaining in the dishwasher can accurately be sensed.

Also, the dishwasher can be configured such that the sealing portion of the remnant water sensing unit can seal the gap between the connection cover and the switch accommodating case, so as to prevent the water leakage therebetween. In addition, a separate sealing member is not required, which allows the remnant water sensing unit to be simplified and compact.

The present invention has been explained with reference to the embodiments which are merely exemplary. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A dishwasher comprising: a sump configured to contain washing water; a washing pump configured to pump the washing water contained in the sump; a washing nozzle configured to inject the washing water pumped by the washing pump onto targets to be washed; a washing water passage configured between the sump and the washing nozzle; and a remnant water sensing unit activated by the washing water flowing inside the washing water passage.
 2. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the remnant water sensing unit is activated by a pressure of the washing water flowing inside the passage.
 3. The dishwasher of claim 2, wherein at least part of the remnant water sensing unit is disposed inside the passage.
 4. The dishwasher of claim 2, wherein a branch pipe is further formed at the washing water passage and the remnant water sensing unit is installed at the branch pipe.
 5. The dishwasher of claim 3 or 4, wherein the remnant water sensing unit is independently detachable from the passage or the branch pipe.
 6. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the remnant water sensing unit comprises: an inlet portion connected to the washing water passage for allowing the washing water inside the passage to be partially introduced therein; a displacement member at least a part of which is displaced by the pressure of the washing water introduced via the inlet portion; and an actuating unit configured to perform a predetermined function according to the degree of the displacement of the displacement member.
 7. The dishwasher of claim 6, wherein the inlet portion comprises: a connecting portion having a communicating hole therein and hydraulically connected to the washing water passage; and a body portion coupled to the actuating unit.
 8. The dishwasher of claim 7, wherein the displacement member is disposed between the inlet portion and the actuating unit.
 9. The dishwasher of claim 8, wherein the displacement member comprises: an elastic deformative portion disposed to cross the inlet portion; and a pressing portion disposed toward the actuating unit to come in contact with the deformative portion.
 10. The dishwasher of claim 9, wherein a sealing portion is further disposed at an outer circumference of the deformative portion and the sealing portion is in tightly contact with the inlet portion and the actuating unit, respectively.
 11. The dishwasher of claim 9, wherein the actuating unit includes a switch switched on or off according to the degree of the displacement of the displacement member.
 12. The dishwasher of claim 11, wherein the switch is operated by the pressing portion.
 13. The dishwasher of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to determine at least one of whether there is water remaining and whether the washing pump is normally driven, according to the sensing result by the remnant water sensing unit. 